They said at the time: “The proposed retail store has been designed to provide a high quality, modern shopping environment for the community. The store will be contemporary, featuring high quality glazing and cladding to give a clean, crisp look to the building.”

A source close to the schemes said: “Major UK cinema operator Vue is closing its venue at the Capitol Centre in Walton-le-Dale to make way for a non-food retail store, potentially John Lewis.”

John Lewis have long been linked with opening in Preston – as they were due to be at the heart of the failed Tithebarn redevelopment.

A spokeswoman for the department store said: “John Lewis is often linked to new retail led developments, however, we don’t comment on market speculation.”